Spiced Bath Buns Recipe

These are great to make on a chilly winter’s day. They are light, yet comforting and the smell of yeasted buns and spices fills the house with a warm, Christmassy smell.

Ingredients
450g plain flour
7g dried yeast
1 teaspoon salt
50g caster sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
50g melted Trex (vegetable lard)
150ml tepid milk
175g mixed fruit
1 teaspoon mixed spices
To finish
1 egg to glaze
1 teaspoon caster sugar
1/2/ teaspoon cinnamon
Method
Measure the flour, yeast, salt, spices and caster sugar into a large bowl (the bigger, the better) and mix well. Make a well in the middle and pour in the melted Trex, eggs and milk, adding the mixed fruit last. Mix to a smooth, soft dough.
Turn the mixture out on to a lightly floured work surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic (approx 5 minutes). Place in an oiled bowl and cover with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hr). My house is quite chilly, so I put a doubled over clean tea towel on top of the cling film for some extra insulation!
Lightly grease a deep 12 hole muffin tin.
Turn the risen dough out of the bowl and knead well until it is smooth and elastic – this won’t take long at all. Divide into 12 equal pieces and place in the greased muffin tin. Cover again with the oiled cling film (and tea towel, if using) and leave until doubled in size again (about 30 minutes).
Preheat the oven to Gas5/ 190C/ 375F.
Mix the beaten egg, caster sugar and cinnamon together and brush over the buns. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
These are delicious served with butter and a nice cup of tea.